London, 2012-11-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — Rocco Forte Hotels is pleased to announce that Stuart Johnson, General Manager of Brown’s Hotel, has been named 2012 Hotelier of the Year by Caterer and Hotelkeeper. Johnson was presented with this prestigious award by the magazine’s Editor, Mark Lewis at celebratory lunch at Cameron House which was attended by more than 50 of the UK’s leading hoteliers.
Selected by a judging panel of past winners, Johnson was praised for his commitment to creating a modern classic in Brown’s Hotel, combined with the unstinting support he gives to industry bodies such as Master Innholders and Springboard. In particular, he was applauded for the work he has done in driving forward management development and mentoring students.
In receiving the award, Johnson told the audience – which included past winners Terry Holmes, Harry Murray and John Stauss – that he was very proud to be recognised as the 30th winner of the coveted accolade, saying:
“I am humbled to be given this award by my peers within hospitality, and to be able to stand amongst those whom I hold in such high regard and respect.”
Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and CEO of Rocco Forte Hotels, commented:
“Stuart has been at the helm of Brown’s Hotel since it joined the Rocco Forte Hotels portfolio in December 2005 and has led its strong team by example, making this one of the most successful and recognised hotels in the group. This accolade is well deserved and I wish him many congratulations.”
The presentation lunch, hosted by Stephen Carter, Managing Director of Cameron House and last year’s Hotelier of the Year, was a celebration of Johnson’s career which began in the kitchens of London’s Savoy Hotel where he started work as an apprentice chef. He has since gone on to work at Claridge’s, the Connaught, and Cliveden, as well as spending five years as Publishing Director for Conde Nast Johansen’s, before taking over as General Manager of the five-AA-red-star, 117-bedroom Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, owned by Rocco Forte Hotels, in 2005.
Andrew Stembridge, Managing Director of Chewton Glen, and 2010 Hotelier of the Year said:
“Stuart is an exemplary hotelkeeper and his commitment to the wider industry and especially the development of young people is legendary”. Michael Gray, General Manager, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, and 2007 Hotelier of the Year, added: “Stuart has displayed so much empathy to the needs of our industry – far outside of his day-job, which already is demanding enough in running Brown’s Hotel as a well established competitor to us all!”
Looking forward, Stuart Johnson spoke of his year ahead:
“In 2013, Brown’s Hotel celebrates its 175th year of operation as a luxury hotel in London. It is therefore fitting that our industry remains committed to encouraging the next generation of young and aspiring managers. We also have a duty to raise awareness in schools and continue to work with those organisations who administer the mentoring schemes for undergraduates of hospitality, to work with Springboard, the Institute of Hospitality and the Master Innholders to maintain our drive on further education.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Rocco Forte Hotels
Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 13 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share Rocco Forte Hotels’ trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.
Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown’s Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Augustine Hotel, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily; Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi. Future openings: Jeddah; Marrakech; Cairo; Luxor.
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